RECOGNISED BY/MEMBER OF DDECEMBERECEMBER 20112011 NNEWSLETTEREWSLETTER 2011 was another fantastic year for MUAYTHAI with far too many great events to mention!! THANK YOU UZBEKISTAN!! 39 countries participat- ed in the Asian Open The IFMA World Championships 2011 in Tash- championships held on kent Uzbekistan, was another important event Kish Island in April . The event was organ- towards IOC recognition. ised and hosted by the Iranian Muaythai Over 1000 athletes and coaches from 80 coun- tries participated in this historical event, held from the 20th-27th September 2011. The event was fully supported by the Uzbeki- stan Government and many dignitaries from Association and with the full support around the world were present. and assistance of the government of the Tashkent greeted the world muaythai community with a Islamic Republic of Iran had. The event spectacular opening ceremo- was hosted by the Iranian Muaythai ny. The Tashkent Sporting Association under the umbrella of the Palace was filled to capacity Federation of Amateur Muaythai Asia and over 10,000 eager fans and IFMA. The event was opened by His had to be turned away. Hats are off to the Uzbekistan Excellency Mr. Esfandiar Rahim Mashaie, Amateur and Professional Muaythai for organizing one of the most spectacular and High Advisor and Secretary to the Presi- entertaining opening ceremonies in the history of IFMA world championships. dent of Iran, and Dr Sakchye Tapsuwan, Guests arrived at the venue to an interactive and colourful cultural display of local the President of IFMA and President of the crafts, traditional music and dance. Amateur Muaythai Association of Thailand. The event was chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Mr. Arippov The athletes stayed in luxurious hotels and Abdulla Nigmatovich and President of IFMA Dr. Sakchye Tapsuwan. 15 senators attended special programs were organised from the Royal Thai Government were also in attendance at the ceremony, which to promote aspects such as the cultural was also watched by many international VIP guests from depth of Muaythai. This ensured they were at their best and able to provide fights around the world. which attained the highest standards we have come to expect and the audience Guests were treated to a 2- was treated in seeing the best of Asian Muaythai. The Iranian team with the benefit hour mélange of dance, music of the massive support that comes as being the home favourite fought beyond their and entertainment which was expectations managing to take the overall team trophy. Thailand came second in comprised of beautiful dancers this with the Kazakhstan team taking third place. The title of Top Fighter was in tradtitional costumes from awarded to Eisa Almadar from Iran and the award for the best Wai Kru went to all regions of Uzbekistan, Narawut Pleenamram of Thailand. a ballet, acrobatics, opera and a myriad of Uzbek Asia has truly become a powerhouse of Muaythai with Jordan, Uzbekistan, Kazakh- celebrity performers. stan, Afghanistan, India, UAE, Iraq and Korea all providing strong teams to the Championship and coming away with medals for their superb efforts. Deserving of a The 2011 IFMA World special mention is the team representing the UAE who, against common expecta- Championships in Uzbeki- tions won their first gold medal in a masterful display. stan was not just a com- petition and cultural exchange, it is also where the leaders and executives of the National and Continental Federations meet together with the IFMA Executives to IFMA @ SportAccord Convention network and make important decisions. LONDON – A Striking Success!! Besides all the Continental meetings , the IFMA Executive Board got together and the various commission meetings, such as the Female Commission Meeting. The last day of the IFMA world championship was with- out a doubt a day which will remain in the memory of athletes and spectators alike. The stadium was pack to bursting and over 10,000 people had to be turned away as IFMA’s presence at this year’s SportAccord Convention proved to there was no more room, not even to stand. be the most successful yet. This year’s edition of the SportAccord The Championship was televised on every TV station in Uzbekistan as well as all Convention was one of the most important to date, as it was held Russian speaking countries. Special thanks to Mr. Sherzod Tahsmatov, President of in London just one year before the 2012 London Olympic Games. the Uzbekistan Amateur & Professional Muaythai Federation, for a wonderful That’s why the IFMA international office worked tirelessly to en- event! sure that the bar was raised yet again this year, to create and The 2011 IFMA championship was design the biggest and most attractive booth since IFMA’s first the best championship we have had entry into SportAccord in 2006. to date, so the pressure is now on This was most definitely achieved, as the IFMA booth made a Russia to carry the torch and bring striking impact and received much popularity and interest from all delegates. something special to 2012. RECOGNISED BY/MEMBER OF DDECEMBERECEMBER 20112011 NNEWSLETTEREWSLETTER Other exhibitors included MUAYTHAI The world league of muaythai, with the 40 best the Australian Interna- fighters in 5 weight divisions, with the largest prize tional Sporting Events money in the history of muaythai, kicked off on the Secretariat (AISES), Dubai PREMIERE 2nd of September in Los Angeles (USA). Sports Council, Euro- vision, Eurosport, Events Since then, the event has made Scotland, Federation it’s way around the world from L.A. to Rome, from Internationale du Sport Rome to Amsterdam, and next year, is set to land in Bangkok for Universitaire (FISU), Gen- its next leg. erations for Peace, IEC in Sports, Macau Sports Development Board, Peace and Sport, the Qatar Olympic Committee, Singapore Sports Council, World Games 2013, WADA, Total Sports Asia and the Commonwealth Games Federation just to name a few. The exhibition also included a myriad of bidding cities, International Sports Federa- tions and Event and logistics specialists. Good Morning LONDON!! Following the success of the Good Morning Dubai Muaythai boxercise session at last year’s SportAccord Convention, the International Federation of Muaythai Ama- teur (IFMA) decided to give this year’s delegates yet another dose of Muaythai fun. Delegates got up bright and early and again came in all shapes, sizes and fitness levels. Attendees ranged from IF representatives to bidding cities to SportAccord staff Catch MUAYTHAI on….... members and all enjoyed the Muaythai training led by IFMA General Secretary and former World Champion Stephan Fox. A big thanks to Agrekko for their generous contribu- tion in allowing use of their suite’s spacious balcony overlooking Big Ben and the London Eye. Participants were put through a grueling ses- If you don’t have the chance to get to the fight arenas for real, then don’t fret!! sion of boxing, kicking and blocking which gave ESPN Star Sports is bringing the stadiums to your living room. everyone a well-rounded Every week on ESPN you’ll find the best Muaythai shows from around the and full body work out, world with super promotions like Rumble of the Kings, Evolution , WMC I-1 and so while sweating out the much more! alcohol that was imbibed at last night’s electrifying opening ceremony. IFMA is looking forward to next year’s SportAccord Convention for Good Morning Quebec, and hopes to see even more delegates kicking, punching and enjoying Muaythai! The beautiful city of Antalya was the host of the 2011 EMF/IFMA European Championships. Over 400 athletes, officials, representing 28 qualified countries took part in the historical event organised by the Turkish Muay- thai Federation in cooperation with the Turkish Government and the City of Antal- ya. The opening ceremony was a cultural festival supervised by the City of Antalya with the Turkish National Ensemble, a fireworks display and a summary of 1000 years of proud Turkish History. As the leading international Sport for All organisation, TAFISA is in the privileged The Athletes and VIPs are staying in the 5 star Sera Club Hotel, position to bring joy, health, social interaction, integration and development to beachside… the perfect place to be part of such a competition. communities and citizens around the globe through the promotion of Sport for All The event was opened by the Mayor of The City of Antalya, The and physical activity. TAFISA currently has more than 200 member organizations President of the Turkish MUAYTHAI federation and the Presi- from more than 130 countries across all continents. This includes governmental dent of IFMA. bodies, national Olympic committees, national and international sports bodies, educational institutions, individuals and more. MUAYTHAI Gets a Thumbs Up from WADA!! Fair play is no doubt a very important factor in Muaythai, so the WMC/IFMA has done much work on the education and in & out of competition testing, and has received acknowledgement from WADA that IFMA is fully compliant with the World Anti-Dopping Code….. PLAY TRUE!!! RECOGNISED BY/MEMBER OF DDECEMBERECEMBER 20112011 NNEWSLETTEREWSLETTER attacks, landing many take downs on his opponent in the first few rounds. Madsua WMC Superstars in gave it back taking the bull dog into the clinch whenever he could in the final rounds, throwing him to the mat. By round 4 a vicious elbow from Madsua sliced Thai Fight 2011 Finals the forehead of Jordan Watson wide open with a cut (Jordan later joked that he looked like Harry Potter after the fights!!). The final round was action packed and One of the many successful event series is with went to the judges’ score cards with all 3 judges scoring in favour of Thailand’s no doubt Thai Fight, which has become one of Madsua.